ALEast_Tampa Bay Rays

2014 Boston Gameday HQ

TAMPA BAY RAYS
5-YEAR SCORECARD
2013 2012 2011 2010 2009
WINS 92 90 91 96 84
RUNS PER GAME 4.32 4.30 4.36 4.95 4.95
RUNS ALLOWED PER GAME 3.98 3.56 3.79 4.00 4.65
OPENING-DAY PAYROLL (millions) $61 $63 $42 $72 $63
2014 STRENGTHS:
• Deep starting pitching staff.
• Joe Maddon’s managerial skills.
2014 WEAKNESSES:
• Bullpen is shaky
• Questionable up-the-middle defense
The Tampa Bay Rays won 92 games
and fell in the ALDS to the eventual
World Series champion Boston Red Sox.
No shame there. The Rays had a solid
regular season and then pushed the
Red Sox in a hard-fought four-game
series. Third baseman Evan Longoria
and right fielder Wil Myers are back
and the addition of James Loney at
first base has been huge. If David Price
can anchor the starting staff, the Rays
should contend in 2014. There is depth
at every position, and the club looks to
be in better shape than last season. Like
every club, health will be vital. When
healthy, the Rays look to be dangerous.
HITTING
Evan Longoria carried the Rays last season
on his way to 32 home runs and 88 RBIs. He
added 39 doubles and 165 hits while becoming
a team leader in every aspect. Right fielder Wil
Myers developed quite fast and wound up with
13 home runs and 53 RBIs as a rookie. Myers
wasn’t bothered by the pace of the game and
he was a major reason they went on to win 92
games. The Rays possess balance up and down
the lineup anchored by David DeJesus and Ben
Zobrist at the top and Yunel Escobar and Ryan
Hanigan at the bottom. Teams won’t be able to
pitch around this lineup because there are so
many weapons. First baseman James Loney (13
home runs, 75 RBIs) provides some punch in
the middle. This lineup could wind up being the
best in the AL East.
Evan Longoria
AL EAST
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